The CCF Wish List is a list of those "extras" we so desperately need that don't necessarily fall into monetary donations, volunteering, or any of the traditional categories. If you are interested in helping to implement any of the programs listed below on our Wish List, please contact Lauren Harrell, Program Director at 904.396.4223 or via email. There is so much we can do together to make it easier on these special families!
Meal Vouchers Translators Parent Network Research Support Parent Advocate/Consultant Hearing Aids Neuro-Oncology Comprehensive Clinic Training and Education of Hematology/Oncology staff Meal Vouchers
Most families spend extended hours and sometimes days in the Clinic or Hospital with their children undergoing chemo or radiation treatments. The cost of feeding a family under these circumstances is expensive. CHILD Cancer Fund would like to provide vouchers to families that are accepted at Wolfson and Nemours in their respective cafeterias. We estimate 15 patients on any given day in the Hospital x 365 days/yr = 5,475 patients/year. One third of that number is 1,806. At $5.00 per voucher, that would equal a budget item of $10,000/year. Ten dollars a voucher would total $20,000/year.
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Translators
There is an increasing trend in the amount of families who do not speak English or who have other disabilities which require translators to fully understand the treatment that is being provided. Currently, they have a patient who is deaf and only signs. Our wish list includes the establishment of a program that provides translation services for any family that requires the service. It is estimated that the need could exceed $20,000 per year.
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Parent Network
The CHILD Cancer Fund has implemented a Parent Support Network which can match new families with old ones for advice and support. This is a no cost item that is covered by the volunteers on Family Advisory Board. We are always looking for new parent volunteers to assist in this very important support.
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Parent Advocate/Consultant
The CHILD Cancer Fund would like to establish and fund a Parent Advocate to act as a liasion between the family and the medical caregivers. This person would be a part of the treatment team and would be there to specifically meet the needs of the families. Wolfson Hospital is moving to this model of care. A trained professional, preferably who is bilingual, is needed to fill this position in either a part time or full time capacity at a cost of $25,000 - $50,000 per year.
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Training and Education of Hematology/Oncology staff
The CCF would like to sponsor visiting professors to come in and train the staff on latest trends and technologies available in the field. The cost is approximately $2,500 per visit. Quarterly training would be optimal. The Fund would also like to establish an international program to train staff in facilities of underdeveloped countries once a year. Total budget estimate $10,000.
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Neuro-Oncology Comprehensive Clinic
Shands Jacksonville has established a Proton Beam radiology unit in Jacksonville. It is only one of about 5 such units in the nation. As a result, many new patients in this region come here for this state of the art care. While here, they will receive their chemo and office care at Nemours. Because of the various specialties who need coordination, a comprehensive clinic would be the most cost and time efficient way to address the need. It is expected that there are an additional 120 patients a year, each staying 6 weeks in the Nemours system. This clinic would require a specialized nurse, psychologist as well as coordination of the medical specialties. $50,000 - $100,000 per year is estimated.
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Research Support
A significant amount of cutting edge research is conducted on childhood cancer at Nemours Children's Clinic here in Jacksonville that benefits children every day. The CHILD Cancer Fund would like to fund a research position to coordinate all of the research protocols. A full or part time position would cost $35,000 - $45,000 plus 20% for benefits.
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Hearing Aids
One of the unfortunate side effects of radiation therapy is the loss of hearing which requires children to be fitted for hearing aids. These assistive devices can cost up to $2,500 each. The CHILD Cancer Fund would like to establish a program to help pay for these devices that are not covered by health insurance. The cost of such a program could total more than $50,000/year.
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